You were right: After just four days and two episodes, Viva Laughlin is the season's first scripted show to get canceled, writes The Futon Critic. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt will produce an HBO dramatic series following disaster-relief workers, and PopSugar has the details. According to USA Today, we shouldn't believe those spoilers about which new House doctors are sticking Read more

I wanted to like Viva Laughlin. I really did. I had heard great things about its forefather, the BBC's Viva Blackpool, and I wasn't about to say no to anything that had Hugh Jackman spontaneously breaking into song. So the idea of cops and corrupt casino owners occasionally singing instead of talking sounded a little weird (or a little Cop Rock). So what? I thought this would be a risk sure to Read more

All summer long, I've been giving you my first impressions of the networks' new shows. Now, with fall TV upon us, it's time to tell you which shows are deserving of space on your TiVo and which ... well, aren't. Today, I'm starting off with five shows that — based on their pilots — you'd be best to steer clear of this fall. 5. "Life" — I was into the premise of this show about a detective Read more

The networks have announced their fall schedules, but which of the series will actually be worth watching? Throughout the summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. A lot can change before a show makes it to air, so these aren't comprehensive reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's installment: "Viva Laughlin," a musical drama — yes, you read Read more

CBS is joining ABC and NBC by giving us video previews of its new fall shows. Some info on the new series is over at the network's fall preview site, but I've got all the clips and photos right here — including a special look at Hugh Jackman singing in the first episode of "Viva Laughlin"! Check it out: One more "Viva" clip, plus clips from the other shows and a ton of pictures, so read Read more

Now that I've had a while to think through the new CBS fall schedule, I have some thoughts on which news is good, which is bad and which is still a little baffling. Take a spin through my list, then let me know what you think. (Don't forget to look at my thoughts on the ABC and NBC schedules, too!) Could this be the year I actually watch CBS? (Sign No. 2 of the apocalypse, right up there with Read more

I usually think of CBS as the most boring and reserved of all the networks, but it might be getting a bit of an image makeover come fall. Announcing its new shows at today's upfronts, the network introduced some fairly unconventional dramas — including a musical, a vampire show, and a series about 1970s swingers — plus one comedy and one reality show. The network's president said the goal Read more